Gödel

Childhood

Gödel was born on April 28, 1906, in Brünn, Austria-Hungary (now Brno, Czech Republic), into the German-speaking family of Rudolf Gödel, the managing director and part owner of a major textile firm, and Marianne Gödel (née Handschuh). His father was Catholic and his mother was Protestant, and the children were raised as Protestants. Many of Kurt Gödel's ancestors were active in Brünn's cultural life. For example, his grandfather Joseph Gödel was a famous singer in his time and for some years a member of the Brünner Männergesangverein (Men's Choral Union of Brünn).